wendell



F. C. WENDELL, DECD.

T. s. WENDELL. ADMINISTRATRIX.

IRQNING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 28, 1913.

Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

F. C. WENDELL, DECD.

T. S. WENDELL, ADMINISTRATRIX.

IRONING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APILZB, I913. w gg, PutentedAug. 29,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- %me/wo/a: 1 3m vLIIo'c, I

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FRED C. WENDELL, DECEASED, BY THERESA WENDELL, ADMINISTRATRIX, OF NEWYORK, N. Y.

IRONINGeMACI-IINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Atri 29, M916.

Original application filed February 17, 1913, Serial No. 748,941.Divided and this application filed April 28, 1913. Serial No. 764,177.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that FRED C. WENDELL, deceased,late a citizen of the United States, invented certain new and usefulImprovements in lroning-llfachines, of which the following is aspecification.

This is a divisional application of the pending patent application filedFebruary 17, 1913, Serial No. 748,941.

This invention relates to ironing machines wherein a heated drumcombined with pres-' sure rollers and an apron are used for feedingmoist fabrics around the drum and pressing them around its periphery.

lhe principal object of the invention is to provide improved means forfeeding the fabrics to the machine, whereby accidents to operators areprevented.

In this ironing machine, one of the drum journals constitutes the driveshaft, bevelgears are mounted on the drum journals, and a shaft drivenby the driving gear drives the other gear and drum. Shafts rotated bysaid gears extend radially of said drums to the apron drive-rolls todrive the aprons. Extensible shafts driven by the drum-gear extendradially of the drum to bevel-gears *arried on the pressure rollers,whereby said rollers are driven. Steam cylinders are pro vided for thepressure rollers, and pistonstheroin are connected to the bearings ofsaid rollers whereby uniform pressure is maintained upon said rollersand against the drum and intervening fabrics. An equalizing valve isinterposed between the main steam line of the building and saidcylinders, which reduces the steam pressure and maintains it uniformuponsaid' pistons irrespective of the fluctuation of steam pressure inthe main line. Link-sets secured to the machine frame are connected tothe bearings of the pressure rollers, and the sets being joined togetherby connecting links constitute complete trains of links at each side ofthe rollers. A steam cylinder fixed to the machine frame has its pistonconnected to said link trains. When the machine is not used, the steamis exhausted in the roller cylinders, and steam is admitted for aninterval into the aforementioned cylinder, which sets said links toshift said pressure-rollers and to maintain them locked away from theironing drumv To restore the pressure rollers to the drum,

steam is admitted into the opposite side of said cylinder and the linksthereby actuated to return to normal position. The pistons of thepressure-rollers are air-cushioned to retard the return movement of saidrollers to the drum. A. table is provided in front of the feed apron ofthe machine, and a feedroll is reciprocated partly over said table andpartly over said apron, by arms and cranks connecting the roll to one ofthe pressure rollers. A pawl and ratchet prevent rotation of said rollwhen moving over said table toward said apron. The operator places thefabric to be ironed upon the table, and while the feed roll moves awayfrom the apron it rolls thereover. While returning to the apron the rollgrips the fabric and draws it over upon the apron, which feeds it to themachine. In this way the operator is not required to come in contactwith the movable apron, whereby accidents are prevented.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a general side elevation ofthe ironing machine. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken onthe line wm of Fig. 1, showing the driving mechanism of the pressurerollers. Fig. 3 is a general elevation of the opposite side of themachine, and shows the mechanism for shifting the pressure-rollers andthe safety feeding devices for the machine. Fig. l is an enlargedsectional view showing the piston and cylinder for the pressure rollersand the link mechanism for shifting said rollers.

A hollow'steel cylinder or ironing drum 1 is rotatably mounted on themachine frame 2, by its hollow journals 3 running in bearings secured tosaid frame, and a similarly oppositely revolving secondary drum 5 isrotatably mounted immediately below the drum 1, by its journals 6running in bearings 7 of said frame. Said drums are disposedhorizontally in the machine and parallelly to each other, and steam isadmitted within the drums through the hollow journals 3 and 6, wherebythe drum peripheries are heated and rendered suitable for ironing.

An endless apron 8 cooperating with the drum 1 is in rolling contactwith its periphery at the lower side thereof and eX- tends therefromover a drive-roll 9, diagonally downwardly from said roll toward thedrum 5, under an idle-roll 10, over a guideroll 11, around idlers 12,13, under a slackroll 14, over an idler 15, and back to the drum. Withthe drum 5 cotiperates an endless apron 16 which encircles it in rollingcontact with its periphery, and extends therefrom over an idle-roll 17,from there over and around a drive-roll 18, thence over an idler 19,under a slack roll 20, around idlers 21, 22, over a guide-roll 23, underan idler 24, diagonally upward and around an idler 25, to an idler 26,and back to the drum. All of said rolls are provided with suitablebearings secured to the machine frame 2. The portion of the apron 16from roll to roll 26 is approximately parallel to the portion of theapron 8 from roll 9 to roll 10, and at the roll 9 the apron 16 is inrolling contact with the apron 8, so that said aprons run concomitantlytoward the drum 5, due to the aprons running in opposite directions. I

Pressure-rollers 28, preferably five in number, co6perate with theperiphery of the drum 1 upon the upper side thereof for and conveys thefabric thereto.

pressing fabrics thereagainst, and a feedapron 29 provided at thefeeding side 30 of the machine, slopes diagonally upward toward thefirst of said pressure-rollers 28, Said feedapron passes around a board31, the sharp edge 32 of which is disposed between the pressure roller28 and the periphery of the drum 1, and it extends around and is drivenby a roll 33, mounted upon the machineframe 2.

The journal 6 constitutes the drive-shaft of the machine and the drum 5is thereby is driven by a gear 412 thereon meshing with gear 39, and agear 4:3 fixed on said shaft meshes with a gear 141 on the drive-roll 9whereby the apron 8 is driven. A shaft running in bearings 16 is drivenby a' gear 47 thereon meshing with gear 34:, and

a bevel gear 18 fixed to the shaft meshes with a gear 49 on thedrive-roll 18, which drives the apron 16. The feed-apron 29 is driven byits drive-roll 33 having a bevel gear 50 in mesh with a gear 51 of ashaft 52, running in bearings 53, which is rotated by a gear 54 thereonmeshing with gear 341. Gears 55, Figs. 1 and 2, in mesh with gear Ashaft 40 mounted in bearings 11" continuations of the shafts 56 arerotated thereby by means of keys and key ways at 60. The shafts 59 runin bearings 61 formmg part of arms 62 carried upon the ournals 63 of thepressure-rollers 28, and bevel gears 61 fixed on shafts 59 mesh withgears 65 on the journals 63 whereby said rollers are rotated The moistfabric to be ironed is fed to the machine by the apron 29 and passesbetween the first pressure-roller 28 and the periphery of the drum. Itis then carried around the drum 1, and in contact with its hot surface,under the successive pressure-rollers28 and between the endless apron 8and the drum, during which course the fabric is thoroughly ironed on oneside. From the drum 1 the fabric is carried over the roll 9 and betweenthe concomitantly running portions 8 and 16 of the aprons 8 and 16 tothe secondary drum 5. In passing over roll 9 and said concomitantlyrunning portions of the aprons the fabric is reversed. so that itsopposite side is presented to the hot surface of the drum 5, and beingheld pressiugly thereto by the apron 16 running in rolling contacttherewith the fabric is thoroughly ironed upon its opposite side whilecarried around this drum. Upon leaving the drum 5, the fabric isconveyed by the upwardly inclined portion 16 of the apron 16 over theroll 18, where it is deposited in finished condition upon a deliverytable 66 fixed to brackets 67 extending from the frame 2 opposite thefeed side 30 of the machine. A doffer roller 68 held on arms 69 mountedon the roll 17 runs in rolling contact with the drum 5 and therebyprevents accidental climbing or sticking of the fabrics upon itsperiphery. A similar dofl'er roller 70 cooperates with the drum 1 abovethe roll 9 and serves a similar purpose thereat.

The slack rolls 14 and 20 having bearings 71 slidable on guiderods 72fixed to frame 2 weigh down upon the aprons 8 and 16, whereby they aremaintained taut while the machine is in operation and the requiredpressure of said aprons against the drums 1 and 5 is effected.

The journals 63 of the pressure-rollers 28 are mounted in bearings 73,Figs. 2 and 4, which are slidable in guiding ways 74- of guides 7 5,forming part of the frame 2, that extend radially from the center ofdrum 1. Steam cylinders 7 6 are secured to said guides, at each end ofthe pressure roller, by means of a flange 77 of the cylinder beingbolted thereto, and pistons 78 coiiperating with the cylinders havetheir piston-rods 7 secured to the bearings 73, by means of loii headsof said rods fitting in jaws 81 on said bearings. A bushing 82 threadinginto the top of the cylinder serves as a cylinderhead, and ofl'ersaconvenient means of assembling during construction.

When the machine is in operation during ironing, steam is admitted intothe cylinder 70 through the port 83 from the main steam line in thebuilding, and a required pressure is thus maintained above the piston 78and transmitted to the bearings 73 of the rollers 28, whereby absolutelyuniform pressure of said rollers against the drum and interveningfabrics is maintained at all times and under all conditions, which isconducive to an even and fine grade of ironing work. In order tomaintain a constantly uniform steam-pressure upon the pistons so thatthe resultant uniform pressure of the rollers against the fabrics is ofa non-varying force, the pistons are so proportioned that they requireless pressure per square inch than that usually carried by the mainsteam line of the building, and an equalizing valve is interposedbetween said line and pistons. Any fluctuation of pressure in the mainline does not therefore affect the total pressure upon the pistons androllers, and the force exerted by the rollers is consequently maintained uniform.

When the machine is not used, it is necessary to shift and maintain therollers 28 out of contact with the drum 1 for the preservation of theirfelt peripheries. For this purpose a series of link-sets, Fig. 3, isprovided on each side of said rollers, of which one link 84 is pivotedto the roller journal 03, and another link 85 pivoted to the frame 2 at86 has its opposite end pivoted to link 84 at 87. Links 88 connect theseries of link sets, and links 89 joined to the link-sets of roller 28,at each side of the machine, have their opposite ends 90 pivoted tocranks 91. fixed upon a rock-shaft 92,which is mounted on frames 2 andextends the entire length of the machine. A steam cylinder 03 is fixedto frame 2 and a piston 94: therein has its piston-rod 95 connected tothe crank 91, so that when steam is admitted for an interval into thecylinder through the port 96, after the steam in cylinders 76 isexhausted, the entire train of link sets is drawn to the position shownin Fi g. 1, whereby all of the roll.- ers 28 are shifted away from thedrum 1. The link-pivot at 87 is drawn past the straight line from thecenter of the roller to the pivot center at 86, and the link 85 abutsagainst a pin 97 fixed to frame 2, which causes the rollers tq be lockedin shifted position, Fig. 4;, and to be maintained away from the drumwhile the links are thus set. To restore the pressure-rollers 52.8 inpressed contact with the drum, steam is admitted for an interval intothe opposite end of the cylinder 93 through port 98 and the links arethereby actuated and thrown to their normal position, Fig. 3, afterwhich steam is admitted to the cylinders 76 to apply pressure upon therollers. A small opening 99 is provided in cylinder 76 below the piston,so that the air is admitted into the cylinder thereat and operates tocushion the piston when the roller is returned to the drum, whereby itsfall is retarded and too sudden a throw thereof prevented. If desired, asmall opening 100 may be provided at the end 101 of the cylinder 93which will cushion the piston 94 and thereby retard the return movementof the links to gently return all the rollers 28 to the drum.

Each of the links 8 1 has an elongated hole or slot 84 for the pivotjoint at 87, which allows the roller 28 to rise, contrary to itspressure, when an immoderately thick fabric passes thereunder, withoutaffecting the remaining linksof the train.

It will be evident that while the rollers are shifted, when actuated bythe piston 94 or by fabrics passing thereunder, the gears (it and 05remain in mesh, due to the exten sibility of the shafts connecting gears6 L and 55.

In front of the apron 29 is provided a table 102, secured to the frame2, which partially extends over the upper feed surface of said apron andforms a continuation thereof. A feed-roll 103 is mounted on arms 10 1pivoted to cranks 105 fixed to the journals 63 of pressure-roller 28,whereby the cranks are revolved and said roll caused to reciprocate,forwardly away from the apron and baclnvardly, over a portion of saidtable and a portion of said apron. When traveling away from the apronsaid roll is rotated by contact with said apron and table, but upon thebackward stroke of said roll over the table portion rotation thereof isprevented by a spring-prossed pawl 106 fixed to one of the arms 10%;engaging a ratchet 10? fixed to the roll. As the roll continues over theapron-portion of its backward stroke it is caused to rotate in rollingcontact with said apron by the friction of the moving apron against itsperiphery.

The moist fabrics to be ironed are kept in a long receptacle 108provided at the feed side of the machine below the table 1052.

VJhen ironing, the operator spreads the i" "said table are thus taken upby the feed-roll and transferred to the apron, so that the operatorshands are never required to come in contact with the apron, andaccidents, usually due to the hand getting caught by the moving apronbetween the drum and pressure-roller, are thereby prevented.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, andportions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. In an ironing machine, the combination with a revoluble ironing drum,and a cooperating roller, of a continuously running feed apron travelingtoward said drum and roller, a fixed table in front of said apronadaptable for placing thereupon a moist fabric to be ironed, a rolloperated to travel toward and away from said drum and roller partiallyupon said table and partially over said apron in a motion of translation together with'the running apron, and said rollbeing adapted andoperated to engage the fabric and pull it from said fixed table andspread it upon said running apron and to hold the forward portion of thefabric against said apron while traveling in a motion of translationtogether with the fabric and apron for preventing operators hands comingbetween said drum and roller.

2. In an ironing machine, the combinati on with a revoluble ironingdrum, and a cooperating roller, of a continuously run ning feed-aprontraveling toward said drum and roller, a fixed table in front of saidapron adaptable for placing thereupon a moist fabric to be ironed, aroll adaptable to engage the fabric, means to operate said roll totravel toward and away from said drum and roller partially over saidfixed table and partially over said running apron in a motion oftranslation together with the running apron, and said roll being adaptedand operated to pull the moist fabric from said fixed table and spreadit upon said run ning apron and to hold the forward portion of thefabric against said apron while traveling in a motion of translationtogether with the fabric and the apron for preventing operators handscoming between said drum and roller, said roll pressing the fabric tosaid apron while traveling away from the apron.

3. In an ironing machine provided with an ironing drum, and a pressureroller, means for preventing accidents to operators including thecombination of a continuously running feed-apron for the drum androller, a fixed table in front of said running apron adaptable forplacing a moist fabric thereon, a roll adaptable to engage the fabric,means -to operate said roll to travel forwardly and backwardly partlyover said fixed table and partly over said running apron in a motion oftranslation together therewith, said roll being adapted and operated topull the moist fabric from said fixed table and spread it upon saidrunning apron and to hold the fabric against said apron while travelingin a motion of translation together with the fabric and the apron, andsaid roll pressing the fabric against said apron until the fabric entersbetween said drum and roller.

4. In an ironing machine, the combination with a revoluble drum, and acooperating roller, of a continuously running feed apron travelingtoward said drum and roller, a fixed table in front of said apron forplacing thereupon a moist fabric to be named, a roll adaptable to engagethe fab- 1'10, means to operate said roll to travel toward and away fromsaid drum and roller partly over said fixed table and partly over saidcontinuously running apron in a motion of translation together with therunning apron, said roll being adapted and operated to pull the moistfabric from said fixed table and spread it upon said running apron andto hold the fabri: against said apron while traveling in a motion oftranslation together with the fabric and the apron for preventing theoperators hands coming between said drum and roller, and said roll beingrotated by said apron and pressing the fabric thereagainst whiletraveling away therefrom.

5. In an ironing machine, the combination with a revoluble ironing drum,and a cooperating roller, of a running feed-apron traveling toward saiddrum and roller, a fixed table in front of said apron adaptable forplacing thereupon a moist fabric to be ironed, and an engaging devicefor the fabric actuated to travel forwardly and backwardly partly oversaid table and partly over said apron in a motion of translationtogether with the running apron to engage and spread the moist goodsover said apron for pre\"enting operators hands coming between said drumand roller.

6. In an ironing machine, the combination with a revoluble drum, and acooperating roller, of a running feed-apron traveling toward said drumand roller, a fixed table in front of said apron adaptable for placingthereupon moist goods to be ironed, and a roll actuated forwardly andbackwardly to travel partly over said table and partly over said apronin a motion of translation together with the running apron to engage andspread the moist goods over the apron for preventing operators handscoming between said drum and roller.

7. In an ironing machine, the combination with a revoluble drum, and acooperating roller, of a running feed-apron traveling toward said drumand roller, a fixed table in front of said apron adaptable for placingthereupon the goods to be ironed, and a roll actuated forwardly andbackwardly to travel partly over said table and partly over said runningapron in a motion of translation together with the running apron, saidroll engaging the goods and spreading it over the apron on its forwardstroke to prevent accidents to operators and pressing out the goodsagainst the apron on its backward stroke.

8. In an ironing machine, means for preventing accidents to operatorsincluding the combination of a continuously running feed-apron for themachine a fixed table in front of said apron adaptable for placing amoist fabric thereon, a roll extending over the entire width of saidapron adaptable to engage the fabric, revoluble cranks, arms joiningsaid cranks with said roll, said roll being actuated by said cranks totravel forwardly and backwardly partly over said fixed table and partlyover said running apron in a motion of translation together therewith,and said roll being adapted and operated to pull the moist fabric fromsaid fixed table and spread it upon said running apron and to hold theforward portion of the fabric against said apron while traveling in amotion of translation together with the fabric and the apron.

Signed at the city of New York, in the county of New York, and State ofNew York, this 26th day of April, A. D. 1913.

THERESA S. WENDELL, Administmfriaz of the estate of Fred (L Wendell.Witnesses:

CHAS. W. LA RUE, B. ROMAN.

fiopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. G.

